“Constituents Threaten Recall of Osun Lawmaker Rabiu Atanda Over Alleged Poor Representation”

Rabiu Atanda, the lawmaker representing Iwo State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, faces a potential recall as his constituents express dissatisfaction with his performance.
The Iwoland Indigenes Council, through an open letter signed by Ayo-Akano Ayokunmi, criticized Atanda for alleged inaction since his election. The letter was highlighted by on Monday.
The Council accused Atanda of failing to sponsor any bills or motions, not establishing a Constituency Office in Iwo, and not influencing any local projects. They also questioned the status of two offices he reportedly inaugurated in July 2024.
The Council claimed that there is no Constituency Office and that constituents are struggling to contact Atanda for feedback.
They expressed frustration over Atanda’s lack of action regarding the deteriorating Osogbo-Iwo Road, a significant issue in his campaign.
In his rebuttal, Atanda denied the allegations, stating that it was premature to judge his performance. He claimed to have opened a Constituency Office in Iwo, addressed issues related to the Osogbo-Iwo Road in the Assembly, and mentioned ongoing projects, including the construction of offices at Oluwo and Kara market.
Atanda highlighted achievements such as addressing local issues through the Constituency Office and initiating skill acquisition and youth empowerment programs.

This situation reflects a critical moment for Atanda as he seeks to address his constituents’ concerns and prove his effectiveness in office.

“Tinubu’s Adviser Bayo Onanuga Reports Significant Drop in Food Inflation: Yam and Tomato Prices Plummet

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has announced a notable decrease in food inflation.
Onanuga highlighted that prices for essential foodstuffs, including yam and tomatoes, have seen a dramatic reduction.

According to recent reports, the price of a large basket of tomatoes at Ketu market has decreased to about N55,000 to N60,000, down from an average of N150,000 a few months ago.

The cost of a large basket of habanero pepper (rodo) has also fallen, now averaging N25,000 compared to N55,000 during the peak of the price surge.
This significant drop in food prices is seen as a positive development in the fight against food inflation, which could help alleviate the cost of living for many Nigerians.

“Ohaji Communities Demand Urgent Repairs for Crumbling Owerri-Port Harcourt Expressway”

Residents of Ohaji in Ohaji Egbema LGA, Imo State, have expressed deep frustration over the deteriorating condition of the Owerri-Port Harcourt Expressway. Town Union President Daniel Clifford Ogbuehi and other local leaders have called for immediate intervention from both state and federal governments to address the severe road damage, which they say has worsened over time.

Ogbuehi highlighted the critical role of the road in connecting Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa States, lamenting that despite its importance, it remains in disrepair. He noted that the road, briefly upgraded during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, has since been neglected.

Residents have reported that the road’s poor condition, particularly in Ohaji, creates significant hardship for commuters, disrupts local businesses, and poses safety risks. The dilapidated sections of the road also attract criminal activity, further endangering road users.

Chijioke Osimiri from Awarra Autonomous Community added that the frequent accidents involving heavy trucks exacerbate the situation, with many such trucks being owned by oil companies that have not contributed to road repairs despite their heavy use.

Local leaders have conducted multiple protests to urge the relevant authorities to address the issue, but their appeals have yet to yield results.

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Nigerian Air Force Dismantles 13 Illegal Refining Sites and 10 Overhead Tanks in Major Niger Delta Operation.

On Sunday, the Nigerian Air Force’s Air Component of Operation Delta Safe executed a significant operation targeting illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta region. The operation, conducted near Obizor and Okoloma along the Imo River, resulted in the destruction of 13 illegal refining sites and 10 overhead tanks, along with several gallons of illicitly refined products.

Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information, highlighted that this successful operation came as a result of increased patrol efforts by the Air Force in the Niger Delta. The illegal refining sites were strategically positioned in challenging terrains, making them difficult to detect and target. However, the Air Force’s heightened surveillance capabilities enabled the identification and subsequent destruction of these sites.

In addition to targeting the refining sites, the operation also led to the destruction of a 6-tyre tipper truck and four canoes that were observed loading illegal products along the riverbank. The truck and canoes were destroyed after the crew noted the criminals’ attempt to disperse upon sighting the aircraft.

Following the primary mission, the patrol extended to monitor key points along the Trans Niger Pipeline, including the End Point, Bodo trunk line, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline, and the Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line. The patrol did not report any unusual activity during this surveillance.

This operation underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to combating illegal oil activities and safeguarding the environmental and economic interests of the region.

“Osun CSOs Demand Return of Subsidies and Release of Protesters from Tinubu or Face Renewed Protests”

President Bola Tinubu has been urged by the Osun State Civil Societies Coalition (OSCC) to reinstate subsidies on electricity and fuel or face an escalation in public demonstrations. The coalition, which represents various civil society organizations in the state, issued a statement at the conclusion of the official 10-day period for the #EndBadGovernance protest.

In a statement signed by OSCC Chairman Waheed Lawal, the coalition criticized President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast addressing the protests, arguing that it failed to address the core issues raised by the demonstrators. Lawal emphasized that the government’s current palliatives are insufficient and that substantive policies are needed to alleviate the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

Lawal stressed the coalition’s demands:
The removal of fuel and electricity subsidies has led to hyperinflation, increased cost of living, and economic strain. The OSCC called for the immediate restoration of these subsidies to mitigate these issues.
The OSCC demanded the release of all protesters detained during the #EndBadGovernance and previous #EndSARS protests. They also called for adequate compensation for violations of human rights experienced by those arrested.
The coalition urged the federal government to implement policies that provide genuine relief rather than distributing palliatives that do not address the root causes of the economic crisis.

Lawal warned that if the government does not respond to these demands, the OSCC would organize a larger, more organized movement, signaling a potential for renewed protests. The coalition remains committed to advocating for better governance and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

“Tony Elumelu Demands Transparency on Crude Oil Theft, Urges Government to Reveal Perpetrators”

Nigerian billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has called on the government and security agencies to disclose the identities of those involved in the country’s crude oil theft. In a recent Financial Times interview, Elumelu highlighted that 18% of Nigeria’s daily crude production—amounting to 42,000 barrels—is stolen. He questioned why the government has not revealed those responsible, comparing the situation to high-profile incidents in other countries where perpetrators are quickly identified. His comments come amid the ongoing challenge of illegal oil refineries and a crude supply crisis affecting major infrastructure like the Dangote Refinery.